a fine distinction between

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a fine distinction between" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing subtle differences or nuances between two or more concepts, ideas, or items. Example: "There is a fine distinction between sympathy and empathy that is often overlooked in discussions about emotional intelligence."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

"I do believe people in TV land are able to make a fine distinction between an ad hitting somebody on their record and one hitting them on character," said a Clinton campaign official.

The New York Times

Larry Sanger proposes a fine distinction between knowledge that is useful and knowledge that is reliable, and there is no question that Wikipedia beats every other source when it comes to breadth, efficiency, and accessibility.

The New Yorker

Although illegal in America and most other parts of the world, under Swiss law this is no crime.There may be a fine distinction between someone who has simply forgotten to include everything on a tax return (an oversight that even treasury secretaries are occasionally prone to) and someone who has gone out of their way to evade tax.

The Economist

At local scale, they draw a fine distinction between hills (ferlo and fukkawo in Fufulde), plains (seeno, gesa, seyno and guyfan) and bottomland (cofol) pastures (Vall and Diallo 2009; Dongmo et al. 2012).

Pastoralism

"You're a sun and I'm a shooting star" is perhaps a fine distinction between a woman cursed to die young and a man who will live forever.

Huffington Post

However GPs' proper assessment of the benefit of ADs, depends on his ability to make a fine distinction between "the scientifically proven effect of an AD for a certain condition" and "the potential benefit of an AD at the right dose for a specific patient presenting with several psychiatric or non-psychiatric conditions".

BMC Family Practice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

A finer distinction between innovations, for instance the degree of tacit knowledge and other knowledge modes, the scope of uncertainties and the longevity of the partnerships could facilitate more precise predictions.

Triple Helix

A finer distinction between the different patterns of acylation at C-22/C-21 C-22/C-21 C-22/C-21otoxicity screening [5, 10], from which more obvious tendencies or conclusions could be summasized, have not been clearly obseened in the results oforhe theoisomerase I assay.

Natural Products and Bioprospecting

In response, we might initially caution against drawing a finer distinction between sexual and natural selection than may be warranted.

Evolutionary Applications

The DENG method assigned only five different scores to all of the interactions, whereas our method resulted in a score distribution that enables a finer distinction between interactions with different probabilities (Supplementary Fig. 8).

Bioinformatics

Alternatively, and despite unaffected reaction times in both other empathy tasks and neuropsychological tests (e.g. TMT), females of the FO group might struggle with a finer distinction between internal emotional states, reflected in the slower responses to sad and angry stimuli in the affective responsiveness task.

Hormones and Behavior

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a fine distinction between" when you want to highlight a subtle difference that requires careful consideration.

Common error

Avoid using "a fine distinction between" when the difference is obvious or significant. This phrase is best suited for nuances that might be easily missed.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a fine distinction between" functions as a qualifier, highlighting a subtle but important difference. It sets the stage for a deeper examination of two or more related concepts, indicating that careful consideration is needed to discern the difference.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

38%

Encyclopedias

12%

Less common in

Academia

6%

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a fine distinction between" serves to emphasize a subtle yet meaningful difference that demands careful consideration. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and effectively used in a variety of contexts, particularly in News & Media and scientific discourse. When using this expression, be certain that you are, in fact, referring to a distinction that could be easily missed if not specifically pointed out. Although its usage is considered Uncommon, using alternative phrases like "a subtle difference between" or "a delicate nuance between" can provide variety and semantic precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a subtle difference between

Emphasizes the slight nature of the difference.

a delicate nuance between

Highlights the sensitivity and precision required to perceive the difference.

a thin line between

Suggests the difference is easily crossed or blurred.

a hair's breadth separating

Implies an extremely small and almost imperceptible difference.

a clear-cut distinction between

Highlights that the difference is easily noticed or identified.

the difference lies in

Focuses on where the divergence occurs.

it hinges on

Implies that the key point is determined by a specific detail.

turns on

Indicates that the outcome depends on a subtle variation.

the devil is in the details

Highlights how seemingly insignificant details can change the perspective.

the crux of the matter

Emphasizes the main point that determines the separation.

FAQs

How can I use "a fine distinction between" in a sentence?

You can use "a fine distinction between" to point out a subtle difference that may not be immediately obvious. For example, "There's "a fine distinction between" being assertive and being aggressive".

What's the difference between "a fine distinction between" and "a clear difference between"?

"A clear difference between" indicates a noticeable or obvious difference, while ""a fine distinction between"" suggests a subtle or nuanced difference that requires careful observation.

Are there other ways to express "a fine distinction between"?

Yes, you can use phrases like "a subtle difference between", "a delicate nuance between", or "a thin line between" to convey a similar meaning.

When is it appropriate to use "a fine distinction between"?

Use "a fine distinction between" when describing situations where the difference is not immediately apparent and requires a deeper understanding or analysis to appreciate the nuance.